Net interstate migration (NIM) is the net gain or loss of population through the movement of people from one state or territory of usual residence to another. It is an important component required to calculate Australia's estimated resident population at the state and territory level, see Australian Demographic Statistics Quarterly (cat. no. 3101.0). During 2012-13, it was estimated that 333,300 people moved interstate, a decrease of 1.8% from the number of people who moved in the previous year. In 2011-12 there were 339,500 people who moved interstate, an increase of 0.3% from the number of people who moved in 2010-11 (338,400 persons).

3.1 Interstate migration flows - 2012-13(a)

Net interstate migration can be a source of population gain or loss for a state or territory. In the year ended 30 June 2013, it was a source of population loss for New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory, with net losses of 15,500 persons, 4,200 persons, 2,200 persons and 1,800 persons respectively. Those states and territories where NIM contributed positively to population growth were Queensland (9,500 persons), Western Australia (8,000 persons), Victoria (4,700 persons), and the Australian Capital Territory (1,600 persons).

3.2 NET INTERSTATE MIGRATION - (a) - 2003-04 to 2012-13

NSW

Vic.

Qld

SA

WA

Tas.

NT

ACT

2003-04

-31 098

-3 051

35 498

-2 910

2 095

2 574

-1 487

-1 586

2004-05

-26 321

-3 070

30 371

-3 226

2 241

267

610

-842

2005-06

-25 576

-1 831

26 607

-2 711

3 933

-82

-553

258

2006-07

-26 271

-1 617

23 381

-3 371

5 362

-537

443

2 465

2007-08

-20 780

-1 924

19 409

-4 221

4 991

730

1 389

260

2008-09

-18 667

1 523

14 702

-4 402

5 012

1 063

934

-309

2009-10

-9 458

3 314

6 172

-2 709

2 119

664

-661

427

2010-11

-13 496

3 534

6 795

-2 614

7 033

-47

-2 549

1 354

2011-12

-18 378

1 203

11 796

-2 357

11 085

-2 552

-1 492

695

2012-13

-15 527

4 671

9 460

-4 205

7 992

-2 173

-1 797

1 579

Annual average 2003-04 to 2012-13

-20 557

275

18 419

-3 273

5 186

-9

-516

430

(a) Estimates for 2011-12 to 2012-13 are preliminary - see paragraph 9 of the Explanatory Notes.

Over the decade ending June 2013, Western Australia and Queensland have consistently recorded annual NIM gains from the rest of the country. However, while the gain in NIM in Western Australia has gradually increased from 2,100 persons in 2003-04 to 8,000 persons in 2012-13, the gain in NIM in Queensland has gradually declined over the last 10 years, from 35,500 persons in 2003-04 to 9,500 persons in 2012-13.

In contrast to Western Australia and Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia have both recorded annual NIM losses each year for the past decade. New South Wales has continually recorded the largest annual losses, ranging between a loss of 31,100 persons in 2003-04 and 9,500 persons in 2009-10, with an annual average net loss of 20,600 persons. South Australia recorded an average net loss of 3,300 persons; with losses ranging between 4,400 persons in 2008-09 and 2,400 persons in 2011-12.

Over the past decade, Victoria recorded annual NIM losses in the five years from 2003-04 to 2007-08 and then annual NIM gains in the five years from 2008-09 to 2012-13, resulting in an annual average net gain of 280 persons. In 2012-13, Victoria recorded its largest NIM gain in the last ten years with 4,700 persons.

NIM in the remaining State and Territories has fluctuated throughout the past decade resulting in annual average net losses in the Northern Territory and Tasmania (520 persons and 10 persons respectively) and an annual average net gain in the Australian Capital Territory (430 persons).